Healthforce

Occupational Health – Benefits for your Organisation

Presented byAnne Marie Graham

Today’s Sound Byte Content

• Overview Healthforce Ltd

• Our Team

• The Role of Occupational Health

• Our Services and how your organisation can benefit

• Our Clients

• Questions and Answers

Overview

• Anne Marie’s previous background:– RGN/Neuro Surgery– BSc (Hons) Health Studies– PGdip and MA Occupational Health and

Nursing

• Formed HealthForce May 2005

• Ltd Company 2006

Healthforce Multi Disciplinary Team

Occupational Health Professionals:

– OH Nurses– OH Physicians (Doctors)– Physiotherapists– Occupational Hygienists– Ergonomists

Healthforce Multi Disciplinary Team

Safety Professionals:

– Auditors (e.g. Safety, Quality)

– Risk Management and Consultation Specialists

– Specialist Safety Trainers

Our Other Main Associates:

Legal Specialist:

– Experienced in Health and Safety Law

– Advice/representation on medical legal cases

– Advice/representation on Labour Relations Commission

Human Resources Management Consultant

What is Occupational Health?

• Occupational Health is concerned with the relationship between – Work and Health – Health and Work

• Ensures your health is not adversely affected by your work & vice versa

What else does it do?

• Ensures fitness for work

• Ensures an effective job-person match

• Promotes Healthy Workforce and a Healthy Environment

• Promotes Personal Health Maintenance

• Resource to management and employees on health & safety issues

Our Services

• Health Assessments• Health Surveillance • Absence, ill health & injuries assessment• Absence Management • Advisory Role & Policy Development• Education & Training • Health Promotion & Wellness

Programmes

Health Assessments

Pre Employment / Pre Placement assessments

• Aim is to ensure a “Job-person fit”• Establish baseline data• Identify pre-existing medical conditions

Task/hazard Examples of health mismatchesCustomer service role Poor hearing/visionShift work Epilepsy, Diabetes, Disturbances of

mood, sleep disordersPhysical demands Musculoskeletal Disorders

How do we Screen?

• Pre Employment QuestionnaireQuestionnaire Screening– Paper screening– Fast and effective– Establishes good baseline information– Cost effective– Ideal for low risk environment

• Pre Employment MedicalsMedicals– More risks associated with the job

Health Assessments

Health Surveillance Medical Assessments

• May be required by law• Ensures fitness for the role• Early identification of medical conditions

Task/hazard Examples of health mismatchesIndustrial chemicals/dusts Respiratory problemsFood Handlers Dermatitis, “weeping skin” conditionsDrivers Vision deficits

Health Assessments

Health Surveillance Medicals:

– Lung Function Assessment– Skin Surveillance– VDU Screening (ergonomics and eye tests)– Eye testing– Vaccinations– Hearing Surveillance

Health Assessments

Fitness For Work Assessments:

– Due to Sickness Absence pattern– Following an illness, injury or accident– As part of return to work– Performance related– Statutory Assessments (lone worker,

confined spaces)– Risk related e.g. night workers

Health Assessments

Executive Medical Screening:– Lifestyle analysis – General Health Questionnaire – Pressure Management Indicator (Stress

Questionnaire) – Urinalysis (Screening for kidney disease and

diabetes) – Blood Cholesterol Profile

Executive Medical Screening Program

– Blood Biochemistry (including  liver and kidney function tests, full blood count)

– Prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer

– Resting ECG (Heart Tracing) – Vision Screening– Audiogram (Hearing Test) – Spirometry (Lung function test)

Health Assessments

Health Promotion/Pro Active Assessments:

– “Mini Health Checks”– Annual Medicals– Seminars with cholesterol, diabetes check etc– Voluntary Health Medicals– Offered as incentive to employees

Absence, Ill Health and Injury Assessment

• Absence– Sickness Absence– Return to Work

Management• Disability Management

Programmes• Accident/Injury Audits

– Post incident• Advice on Ill Health

Retirement

Education and Training

• Occupational First Aid (OFA)

• OFA Instructors

• Defibrillation Training

• Manual Handling Training

• Manual Handling Instructors

• Safety Rep Training

• Fire Warden Training

Education and Training

• Workplace Health hazards– Stress Management Courses– Bullying and Harassment Awareness– Chemical Handling– HACCP

• Visual Display Unit Assessors

Policy & Program Development

Occupational Health Policies– Drugs and Alcohol– Bullying and Harassment– Stress Management– Sickness Absence and OH Referral– Manual Handling– Hearing Conservation– Workplace Violence– VDU

Policy & Program Development

Safety Policies:

• Workplace equipment

• Accident reporting

• Contractors and visitors

• Drug and Alcohol

Health Promotion & Wellness Activities

– Well Woman and Well Man Health Screening

– Healthy Heart Campaigns

– Mini Health Checks– Smoking Cessation

(advice/workshops) – Health Promotion

(Talks/presentations)

Benefits of Occupational Health

MANAGEMENT:

“Measure and Modify ill health”

• Reduces Absenteeism

• Enhances Productivity

• Ill health Prevention/health maintenance

• Assists with Performance management

Benefits of Occupational Health

• Personnel Support Mechanism

• Compliance with legislation

• Improves morale

• Employee retention

• Reduces litigation potential

• Supports managers if cases become legal

Benefits of Occupational Health

EMPLOYEES:

• Feel valued and supported

• Proactive Management of Health

• Confidential advice on personal or work related health issues

• Fast track for those requiring consultants opinion

Occupational Health – Why bother?

• Organisational/lifestyle culture changes

• Employees are your best asset

• Their well being vs. your productivity

• Reduces potential claims & litigation

• Statutory Obligation• Moral duty of care

Cost Effective Solutions

• Consultative approach:– Size, location and climate of your industry

• Personalised Tailored service:– services on-site, part or full time, one off

services, on the telephone, via web/post or at our centre

Our Clients